45th Parallel

The documentary novel by Polina Zherebtsova «45th Parallel» is based on the author's personal diaries from 2005–2006. «My mother and I arrived in Stavropol from Grozny, from a strict Muslim world, we came from the war, as if from another planet, we are refugees. We have our own heavy burden and our own nightmares. But even here, on the peaceful 45th parallel, we do not find solace and help. Intimidation. Insults. Bribes... Gradually, we meet different people and learn about their hard lives, about their sorrows. This is life without war. But is it really any better? Whether a military person or a civilian, rich or poor, young or old, you always choose: to strike, to insult, to kill, to seize — or to help, to share bread, to give a blanket to those freezing, to encourage. And each of us makes this choice every second. I stand with those who cannot shoot.